I wasn’t planning on only spending $100 a month for groceries this year, but when I was sitting down and writing out my goals for 2022, the idea popped into my head and I decided to just go for it.
Sticking to a budget is hard, working towards goals are hard, but if you can keep the end goal in mind as you go about your daily life, it makes the journey much, much easier.
When I started this year’s food challenge I knew this wouldn’t be a true starting from scratch, Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard and the cupboard was bare on January 1st, 2022 type scenario.
We did stock up last year on dry goods, mainly beans, rice, oats, coffee and other canned foodstuffs. We did that because prices were increasing like nuts.
And while I truly believe that if I only had $100 a month to spend on groceries for my husband and myself, we’d still be able to eat for $100 a month. We’d have to get a little creative, and our meals wouldn’t be as exciting, that’s for sure, but I do believe it is still possible to save on groceries if you can keep to the basics, stock up on deals, eat simple and exercise portion control.
The whole point of buying food is to eat it, and that’s what we plan to do this year… eat down what’s already in our freezers and pantry from last year.
My big purchase of the week was a 1/2 gallon of milk and a bunch of bananas for a whopping $4.60. This brings my total spending for grocery store purchases to $96.58 for the month of January.
Fresh vegetable wise, we’ve still got plenty of potatoes, sweet potatoes, a few winter squash in the pantry and an apple in the fridge.
We will mostly likely do a stock up trip this weekend for fresh produce, dairy and any other oddball items I have jotted down, but I’m hoping I’ll be able to stick to my plan of using up what we already have on hand.
We bought loads of bacon last summer just before prices were starting to creep up {$11.99 for 2 pounds thick sliced bacon from Costco} and l know there are still a few more roasts {pot roast, pork roast} and chicken in the freezer as well. A bag of salmon and some smelly shrimp too.
Again, I wasn’t even planning on doing this challenge {eating down the freezer/pantry} this year, but it only makes sense to do so now, especially since the roast I pulled out last week was dated JULY of 2021}. I don’t want what we have in there to go bad.
And…. I’m going to need PLENTY of room later this summer to store all the homegrown goodness I’m not able to put up in jars on the canning shelf.
Here’s a show and tell of the food we ate last week:
Seriously, the best thing on the planet earth. I’m already planning on serving it at the dinner party we are planning to host once I get my new stove. {It’s THAT GOOD!}
Mrs. C’s Pot Roast Day 2.
The pre-rinse cycle. Every house should have one. 😉
The HH made salmon {no idea what he was trying to do there with the onion slices} sprouts, roasted butternut squash and onions.
Coconut chicken with leftover rice and vegetables from the night before.
Mel’s Drunken Beans. Crazy good, especially on a cold day.
Beans and rice, rice and beans {and canned salsa and guacamole too!}. Fun fact: that dollop of sour cream you see in the photo, was purchased waaaay back in September. Unopened, sour cream pretty much lasts forever. Well, okay, not really forever.
And last but not least, the last of the lovely caramel apple tarts my in-laws sent in our Christmas care package.
Here’s the menu “ideas” list I made for this week:
- No Knead Dutch Oven Crusty Bread – Or some version of it.
- Homemade Granola -Anyone want the recipe?
- Brie in puff pastry with apple slices and nuts on the side
- Roasted brussels sprouts, potatoes and onions and sausage
- Beef Stew – with the leftover pot roast juices
- Baked Macaroni and cheese
- Roast chicken and rice
- Tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches
- Blueberry or pumpkin pie
So how did YOU do this past week in the food/meal department? Did you stay within your budget for January? Do you have any special plans for February? Curious minds want to know. 🙂
~Mavis
Total Spent This Past Week on Groceries $4.62
- Total Spent in January on Groceries $96.58
- Total Spent on Groceries in 2022 $96.58
Joyce says
yes please on the homemade granola recipe, it sounds great !!!!
LeighAnne Sparks says
Granola recipe please!
Elle says
I spent $121 on groceries this month. I did a stock-up of local organic beef as well. This included 4 roasts, 3# brisket and 2# of stir fry beef for $136. I ordered our CSA for May-October and that was $1016.
What we ate this week:
– baked a big lasagna and all items were in the pantry/freezer except 1# cottage cheese.
-pot of soup from the pantry except 2 Knorr soup packets (we don’t eat much soup)
-Burritos and rice
-salmon/rice/steamed carrots
-leftovers
Tonight will be eggroll in a bowl-I double the veggie in this
https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Egg-Roll-In-A-Bowl-9559336#directions
Holly G says
We spent a little over $300.00 this month for our 4 adult family. We did get a few things on sale that we won’t use right away (coffee for $1.57/lb, chocolate chips $1.28/bag, tomato soup $0.70/can) but I’m feeling okay about it. These are things that will keep well and we will definitely use, hopefully it will help me save in future months. Also it’s our family’s first month trying to cut back, so $300 is really an improvement.
Linda says
My husband and I were having a conversation about$100.00 per month for groceries.
Is that even possible?
KC says
Only if you’re willing to put in a whooooole lot of time 1. hunting the cheapest price for groceries and 2. cooking, and also willing to deal with a much lower amount of variety in what you eat. Which grocery stores you have access to will also make a difference – some grocery stores have a “clearance” produce section, and that helps enormously.
So, willing bake your own bread from scratch from bulk flour and eat almost exclusively home-cooked oatmeal-bought-in-bulk for breakfast, peanut butter sandwiches or ramen every lunch, and variations on lentils/beans cooked from scratch with rice (with occasional egg dishes) for dinner? Yep, $100 for two adult office-job people should do it, as long as you don’t count the labor cost of doing all the cooking/baking. (although also you need to get all the vitamins and minerals that peanut butter and beans don’t cover – vitamin D, vitamin C, etc. – and then the existence or non-existence of clearance produce and dairy really helps out!)
I guess, I wouldn’t generally recommend it and would not suggest it as feasible for someone who doesn’t have a lot of spare time, but it’s possible to do, in areas that aren’t food deserts, for people who have the storage space and cash liquidity and transport abilities to allow them to buy bulk, and who have a tolerance within their household for the food that eating really cheap may necessitate.
Brianna says
I think it also depends on if there are food sensitivities/intolerances/allergies or diet restrictions in a house. When you have to buy certain types of special products or use expensive ingredients (to accommodate the swap) to cook a normal everyday recipe it gets very expensive. You still have to devote a lot of time to preparing food and studying labels on non-familiar foods, but you repertoire on a budget is severely limited.
Andrea says
I’m shopping my pantry and freezer, too. Also, shopping and stocking up on sale items, as well as getting creative with ingredients on hand and “recycling” leftovers. Your website has always been an inspiration. Thanks, Mavis!
Anna Himes says
I spent 35 this last week… we won’t talk about the month though
Caitlin says
You’re such an inspiration!
Sue says
I’m pleased with my month, cooked from the freezer and pantry.
Was over 100 but I’m thinking if I go over one month, just make it up and cut back the next month. I’m considering the fact my husband is in serious kidney failure and want eat certain foods anymore.
His taste has changed due to his illness. I cook from scratch mostly because of package foods having so much sodium.
Granddaughter has a serious food allergies, no food dyes, a lot of seasoning, can’t have anything smoked. So there again have to shop responsible for them.
I love this challenge and the other goals I’m working on as well.
Inspiration coming from this blog, love it.
Geunita Ringold says
I want the coconut chicken too.
PSUCHIC06 says
How to get the HH to covert from small chest freezer to an upright…haha…
Mavis…I thinknyour HH is going to be building more shoes for canned goodies!
And you make us take. Hard look @ how we shop! & keeping.our.other halves on board…truly a partnership!
PSUCHIC06 says
More shelves…not shoes!
Beth says
We spent quite a lot in January but I plan to spend far less in February and since I have lots of food on hand, I should be ok. Every time I see a beef roast picture on your summary of last week’s meal, I am envious but my husband doesn’t love roasts or stew or pot pie.
Things we are last week:
Pickety bits night
Homemade clam chowder (loved it)
Chicken Caesar salad with homemade croutons
Chicken salad with homemade bread
Homemade boboli pizza
Breakfast for dinner using our new waffle maker (we bought a Breville waffle maker that makes 4 waffles at a time and we love it!)
Leftover night
I got a really good deal on pork shoulder and bone in pork chops so I plan to make pulled pork which will last for a few meals (and I will freeze part of it) and I will make pork chop casserole with sliced potatoes which is a favorite of my husband’s.
Awesome job on staying under budget!!
Naomi says
I wish I could get my husband to eat pickety bits! He is 6’3″ and 185 pounds and has a hearty appetite. Pickety bits would be an appetizer for him. LOL! I love pickety bits!
Janice says
I shopped from the pantry/freezers and for the entire month of January I spent $17.85 on groceries – milk, eggs and potatoes. Like you Mavis, I started with a well stocked home but it felt good to use up some of those things that have been around for a while. On your recommendation I bought some costco canned chicken in December and made your chicken soup last week. It is one of the best soups I’ve ever made! I played with the ingredient list a bit but oh, my… I’ll be making that again. Also, I did a bit of decluttering and sold $20 worth of items we no longer use (not food) so I have more room in the cupboard and the $20 covered my groceries for the month. I know I’ll have to spend more in February but overall it felt good and I’ll definitely be keeping this challenge going. There are only two of us and no dietary restrictions so it definitely allows us more options to stay on track financially with food. It’s fun seeing how everyone else is doing – keep up the great work.
Donna says
What about laundry detergents, softeners, bathroom cleaners, dish products, etc do you include that?
Rhonda R Relyea says
Lucy, Lucy, Lucy! Pre-rinse is the best job I’ve ever heard of for a pup! You are the best part of your mom’s blog! I Love Lucy!
Cindy Miller says
We are still building up our pantry and freezer. If I see something at a great price, I stock up. I bought 2-12 pound turkeys last week for the freezer for 0.57 cents a pound. I also shop Amazon and Sams club online. Both are free shipping for us. Not all things are bargains but some are. Stay warm. 🙂
Marcia says
I spent $162 TODAY. Oh, plus the CSA box came today…another $42. And one on Saturday is $35.
I have a teenaged boy though (and a boy who is aspiring to be a teenager). That’s my story.
Mel says
I’m not trying to do anything in particular about our food budget, but it’s extra haywire at the moment since I still have a bunch of pregnancy-related food aversions. I just recently hit the point where I can tell more than an hour or two in advance what I might be able to eat.
Our freezer is still well-stocked for when the food aversions completely recede, but I’m also working on adding more freezer meals since my dad is having surgery in April and will need easy meals. In addition to the usual soups, mini lasagnas, and personal pot pies, I might experiment with diy tv dinners in sectioned trays so that the whole meal is ready instead of just the main course.
Eventually things will even out, but it’s an odd time food-wise where we’re adding meals to our full freezer and not necessarily using what we have on hand since I can’t always eat it.
Lori says
We don’t have quite as much flexibility in menu planning as I am on dialysis and have eliminated most of my favorite basic items (potato, tomato, whole grains). I’m setting goals at the beginning of each month. For February, buy no meat and cook with what is in the freezer.
Michelle of Ephrata says
It has always amazed me how far you are able to stretch your grocery budget. It’s so hard not to compare but since comparison is the thief of joy, I am trying. We have 6 growing kids in our home and 2 are neurodivergent with strong opinions on food. I feel like every meal is like cooking for a small army. You mention portion control – I don’t even think I can wrap my brain around that. My kids sometimes (but rarely) overeat and after serving up the family, there is rarely enough for seconds or leftovers. I try though since hubby needs leftovers for lunch at work. My goal is to get our grocery budget down to $200 a week. This has taken me shopping at 3 different stores and scaling back on any instant foods or snack items. I also have subscribed to meal planning since I have been in a meal rut for ages. We eat through our freezer and storage items quite a bit, but I could do better and focus on that for a bit and see if I can stretch our budget further. Hopefully.
Debbie says
I think your taking on too much responsibility. 6 kids and 2 adults. I think you should sit down with kids and have each kid plan a breakfast, lunch and dinner. From a pantry list. You set the start by meal planning first day. Kids need to make use of leftovers from
Previous day incorporated into their meal plan for full day. Each kid can buy 1 $2 item to supplement if necessary. Eat whats in pantry. Just that cokking show.
Patti says
It has been tough to get my food budget under control ever since my husband retired as he LOVES to grocery shop – almost daily. Forget meal planning like I used to do – he thinks up new meals as he shops. LOL But here are some of my ways to save: One year I kept a notebook of all our meals – just wrote them down on notebook paper as I cooked them. It only took a minute and is an instant planning guide for days when you just can’t think of what to eat and are prone to takeout. Also, I buy “on sale” and try to never pay full price for anything. It helps to start small and just add a few items to the cart until finally you have a good pantry and freezer filled. Then you just buy sale items. I also put all my “impulse” items in the child seat in the cart and it makes me see how much I throw in the grocery cart that may not be necessary. In this time of inflation, you also have to be flexible… maybe add black beans to a meal instead of chicken, etc. Only eat seasonal foods. Eat what you have and cut back on prepared snacks, etc. We try to budget $200 a month for two people. Mavis has good recipes to try to stretch your dollars! I enjoy seeing your meals on Mondays.
Kidd says
What about other essentials like toothpaste, toilet paper, detergent, body wash, etc???? For me mouthwash is a MUST. Is hygiene not a priority…..
Carolina Cooper says
I am quite sure that the Mavis household buys hygiene items and probably dog food for Lucy as well. But here she is just showing what she spends on food per month. And of course, many people do not buy hygiene items in the grocery store, since they are more expensive there than from other places/sources.
Dianna says
We are not trying to downsize the grocery budget, but I am definitely making an effort to work from the freezer and pantry more often. We have so much food stashed away from last year — things like meats, leftovers, and veggies from the garden . I’ve tried to base more meals around those bits and pieces. It feels good to see more space in the freezer and to know it’s not all going to waste.
I have a bunch of freezer jam from last summer that we didn’t eat. Any ideas of how to use it up?
Mel says
I’m not sure what flavor jams you have left, but I like to use jam in cobbler like this (use jam instead of apple butter):
https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/apple-butter-cobbler-with-drop-biscuits
And in bars like this:
https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/easy-apple-recipes-apple-pie-jam-bars/
I think either recipe could be adapted to whatever flavors you have.
Steph C says
Here’s the thing about meat in your freezer. You wrap it right and it doesn’t get freezer burn or in there over a yr You should be alright. But if it starts smelling like 1 PKG can ruin the rest of the lot. Depending on the where and why it smelling.
Stephanie C says
Also. P. S my question is why have dinner party when you’re trying to reserve and stock up esp on a challenge??
Lee says
I was thinking the same. I’m trying but so far this week I’ve already spent $68.
Sylvia says
Your all awesome, I’m what you call a master of leftovers. For instance, meat , gravy, vegetables, I’ll chop meat fine put in freezer bag with gravy and vegetables. Later date easy crust muffin pot pies. Or put in casserole dish, get leftover mashed potatoes roll in ball flatten fry til crispy outsides put on top of mixture when done sprinkle lil cheese , throw in oven. Left over chicken, beef homemade crouquets, burritos. I always buy meat in bulk
usually cheaper. Fun with foods. All variety.